ES2753026T3 - System for preparing food from capsules - Google Patents

Abstract

A food preparation system configured to produce a food product, comprising: (i) a food preparation machine (500, 500A) provided with a receptacle for a food capsule (300, 700) and an injection means (503, 711) to inject a pressurized fluid (508, 510, 712, 716) therein; and (ii) a food capsule (300, 700) that encloses a cavity (302, 700B) and that has a first end (303, 700C) that comprises an orifice (305, 700E) that communicates with said cavity (302, 700B ), a second end (304, 700D), comprising at least one outlet (310, 311, 702) that communicates with said cavity (302, 700B), an injection wall (314, 709) that closes said first end (303, 700C) and at least one partition (306, 708) arranged inside said cavity (302, 700B) that divides said cavity (302, 700B) into a plurality of chambers (308, 309, 706, 710 ) each containing a quantity of a food substance (315, 316, 713, 717) characterized in that said food preparation machine (500, 500A) comprises a single injection means (503, 711) configured to inject a quantity of fluid (508, 512, 712, 716) into a first chamber (308, 710) of said capsule (300, 700) through a single injection point (504, 711A) and ad It additionally comprises a sealing means configured to selectively block the communication of fluids between at least two of said chambers (308, 309, 706, 710) during the injection of a quantity of fluid (508, 512, 712, 716) into said first chamber (308, 710), said sealing means capable of withstanding a pressure difference between said chambers (308, 309, 706, 710) of between 2 and 20 bar, preferably between 4 and 15 bar and said sealing means comprising a sealing edge (307) of the partition (306) and a pressure means (507, 507A) arranged inside the beverage preparation machine (500), configured to press said sealing edge (307) together and the injection wall (314) of said capsule.

Description

DESCRIPTION

System for preparing food from capsules

Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to a food preparation system using a food capsule for use in a food preparation machine. This invention also relates to a process for employing such a beverage preparation system.

Background

Food preparation systems used by food preparation machines are well known in the food industry and consumer goods. Such machines allow the consumer to prepare on demand a single portion of a beverage such as coffee, espresso, tea, hot chocolate or the like.

Most household food preparation machines operate according to a system in which food substances, such as beverage ingredients, are supplied in individual packaged servings or individual serving portions. Such portions may be soft pods, bags or pouches, but more and more systems use rigid or semi-rigid portions such as rigid pods or capsules. In what follows, it should be understood that the food preparation machine in question uses a rigid or semi-rigid capsule.

In many cases, the capsules for use in food preparation machines are sealed. Sealed capsules of this type have the advantage that they protect their contents from the surrounding atmosphere, improving the useful life of the capsule. Usually, said closed capsules are made from a gas and / or moisture impervious material and have a rigid or semi-rigid body that has one of its walls made from a flexible membrane.

The product is prepared by inserting the capsule inside a food preparation machine, which preferably comprises a receptacle to house said capsule and a fluid injection system to inject a fluid (preferably water) under pressure, inside of said capsule. In most applications, the water injected into the capsule under pressure has been heated, generally to a temperature above 70 ° C. However, in some particular cases, it may be advantageous instead to inject warm or cold water. The pressure inside the capsule chamber during extraction and / or dissolution of the capsule contents is usually around 1 to 8 bar for dissolution products and around 2 to around 12 bar for extraction of roasted and ground coffee.

The present invention also encompasses the process called "infusion" such as for the preparation of beverages in particular for tea and coffee. Infusion involves infusing the ingredient over time with a fluid, most commonly hot water, while extraction or dissolution preparations produce a beverage in a few seconds.

For purposes of clarity, however, in this document the term "infusion" of an ingredient by means of a fluid is understood to comprise the extraction of an edible powdered material (for example, roasted and ground coffee powder), the dissolution of an edible soluble material (for example tea, coffee, milk or soluble cocoa) or the infusion of an edible material in an infusion fluid under very low pressure or at atmospheric pressure, for a longer period of time than is required to extraction or dissolution (for example, tea leaves in hot water).

The principle of extraction and / or dissolution of the contents of a closed capsule under pressure is known and typically consists of enclosing the capsule in a receptacle of the machine, injecting a quantity of pressurized water into the capsule to extract or dissolve the substance and then dispense the resulting drink from the capsule.

Injection is generally performed by piercing one face of the capsule with an injection element for piercing, such as a fluid injection needle built into the interior of the machine. Capsules applying this principle have already been described, for example, in European patent number EP 1472156 B1, and in ^e P 1 784344 B1.

Furthermore, machines applying this principle have already been described for example in patents CH 605293 and EP 242556. According to these documents, the machine comprises a capsule receptacle and a piercing and injection element manufactured in the form of a needle. hollow comprising in its distant area one or more liquid injection holes. The needle has a double function, since it simultaneously opens the upper part of the capsule while providing an inlet channel inside the capsule for water injection.

The machine additionally comprises a supply of the fluid (generally water) that is used to prepare the drink from the substance or substances contained in the capsule. The machine additionally comprises a heating unit such as a heater or heat exchanger, which heats the water used inside it to working temperatures (generally between 80 ° and 90 ° C). Finally, the machine includes a pump for the circulation of water from the tank to the capsule, optionally through the heating unit. The circulation of the water inside the machine can be directed through a valve selection means, such as for example a pinch valve of the type described in the European patent application of the applicant EP 2162653 A1.

Systems of this type are particularly well suited for coffee preparation. One configuration to achieve this which is particularly advantageous is to provide a capsule containing roasted and ground coffee powder which is extracted with hot water injected into it.

The capsules that have been developed for such an application are described and claimed in the European patent EP 1784344 B1 of the applicant, or in the European patent application EP 2062831.

In summary, capsules of this type usually comprise:

- a hollow body and an injection wall which are impervious to liquids and air, the wall is attached to the body and adapted to be pierced for example by an injection needle of the machine;

- a chamber containing a bed of roasted and ground coffee to be extracted;

- an aluminum membrane arranged at the lower end of the chamber to retain the internal pressure inside, the membrane being associated with perforation means which create drainage holes in the aluminum membrane when the internal pressure inside the camera reaches a certain predetermined value; and

- optionally a deflection means configured to break the fluid jet, thereby reducing the speed of the fluid jet injected into the capsule and uniformly distributing the fluid through the substance bed, at a reduced speed.

During extraction, the food capsule is pierced by the fluid injection needle of the food preparation machine, generally in the aluminum membrane. The fluid is injected into the capsule chamber and the pressure inside the capsule increases, facilitating the extraction of the product from the ingredients contained inside the capsule.

In some implementations, the food preparation machine also punctures the capsule in a second place, for example at its bottom, allowing the beverage to flow out during machine operation. In other implantations, the food capsule may be provided with a spout or drain, to which a valve or a membrane is generally attached, which opens when the pressure inside the capsule increases to the level required for the proper preparation of the drink.

When preparing simple food products, i.e. those with only one ingredient or which can be prepared in a single step, the prior art arrangements produce satisfactory results. However, they are poorly adapted for the preparation of more complicated food products. Specifically, currently known food capsules require that the entire amount of food substance present in the capsule be prepared at the same time during injection of the fluid into the capsule. Despite the fact that a drink can have several ingredients, the resulting drink must nevertheless be a homogeneous mixture.

For example, many coffee drinks are based on the principles of providing ingredients in a certain order or layered ingredients. In food preparation systems known in the art, however, the range of possible beverages which can be produced from existing food capsules is limited. In particular, beverages such as cappuccinos, mocha and the like require layering different food components such as espresso, milk, flavored syrup, etc. in a cup. To prepare these drinks with the food capsules known in the art, a first capsule containing a first component of the beverage must be inserted, prepare that first component of the beverage, remove the first capsule, insert a second capsule containing a second component of the drink, prepare the second component of the drink and so on.

This process is more complex and requires much more effort to complete than the preparation of a drink simple such as espresso or hot tea. It also requires the user to buy and store more capsules and generates more waste to eliminate than simple beverage preparation.

European patent application EP 1704803 from Tuttoespresso SpA discloses a capsule having multiple compartments for preparing various different products from the same capsule and generally discloses a beverage system using such a capsule. Each compartment can comprise a separate outlet. The beverage preparation machine to which the capsule is to be connected, comprises several water injection inlets which correspond to each separate compartment of the capsule.

The publication of the American patent application US 2010/0154906 describes a multi-compartment capsule and a beverage system for such a capsule in which the capsule comprises an inlet and an outlet. The interior of the capsule can be divided into several compartments through which water can flow to form the corresponding components of the product. The inlet, outlet and holes of the capsule compartment can be made to open simultaneously or consecutively. The capsule mixes all the components simultaneously through its single hole.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a food preparation system which improves the limitations of the systems known in the prior art.

Summary of the Invention

The food preparation system according to the invention comprises the features of independent claim 1. The invention is directed to a food preparation system configured to produce a food product comprising a food preparation machine provided with a receptacle for the food capsule and an injection means for injecting a fluid under pressure into it and a food capsule that encloses a cavity and that has a first end that comprises a hole that communicates with said cavity, a second end that comprises at least one outlet that communicates with said cavity, an injection wall that closes said first end and at least one partition arranged inside said cavity dividing said cavity into a plurality of chambers, each containing a quantity of a substance food. Preferably, said partition extends from said injection wall to said second end and each of said chambers is in communication with at least one outlet provided at said second end, each outlet being provided with a closing means that can be actuated by independently. The capsule can be shaped like a cup.

According to the invention, said food preparation machine is characterized in that it comprises an injection means configured to inject a quantity of fluid into a first chamber of said capsule, through a single injection point and additionally comprises a openable sealing means configured to selectively block fluid communication between at least two of said chambers during injection of a quantity of fluid into said first chamber, said sealing means being capable of withstanding a pressure difference between said chambers between 2 and 20 bar, preferably between 4 and 15 bar.

This is advantageous because a food preparation system configured in this way will prepare a food product from multiple food components which are all provided in different chambers by the same single food capsule. Additionally, each of the food substances is kept separately and is prepared in a food component in a predetermined order, rather than mixed and prepared simultaneously as in prior art food preparation systems. The food preparation system of the present invention is thereby adapted to produce food products comprising multiple individually prepared food components, increasing the scope of the different foods that can be prepared with a system for preparing food from capsules.

This aspect is also advantageous because, as each food component is individually prepared from its respective food component, the conditions under which fluid is injected into the capsule can be adapted for each of the food substances contained within the food capsule. Specifically, the temperature, pressure, volume, etc. of the fluid injected into the capsule, can be varied during the food preparation process, so that each of the food substances is prepared as a food component under optimal conditions for that particular food substance. Additionally, food substances may be combined in the same food capsule that would not otherwise be compatible due to differences in the conditions under which they can be prepared as food components. In this way, the quality of the food prepared by the food preparation system of the invention is optimal.

This aspect is further advantageous in that the food preparation system requires only a single injection medium. Because only one injection device is used, the complexity of the Internal mechanisms and pipes of the machine for food preparation is greatly reduced. Thus, the reliability of food preparation increases substantially while reducing the cost of manufacturing.

Last but not least, the capsule according to the present invention allows to distribute in a very flexible way different types of content that flow independently from the different compartments of the capsule. Furthermore, each component of the product flowing from one compartment can be dispensed at a time deferred relative to the other components. Furthermore, it is possible to use only selected compartments of the capsule, leaving some others closed. For example, the same capsule may contain the coffee and milk ingredients in separate compartments and the use may choose to dispense only milk or only coffee or coffee and milk which will both be dispensed at the same time to produce latte in the cup, or both of which will be dispensed consecutively to produce a cappuccino-type product in the cup, with separate layers of milk and coffee.

Said food product is preferably a liquid or semi-liquid drink.

This is advantageous because liquid or semi-liquid beverages are particularly well suited to be prepared from a food capsule in the food preparation system of the present invention.

According to the invention, said sealing means comprises a sealing edge of the partition of a pressing means arranged inside the food preparation machine configured to press together said sealing edge and the injection wall of said capsule.

This has the advantage that the communication of fluids between the two chambers of the food capsule is blocked and reestablished merely by advancing or retracting the pressure medium, simplifying the operation of the system for preparing food. Additionally, the joint between the sealing edge of the partition and the adjacent wall of the food capsule is solely a function of the pressure exerted on the injection wall by the pressure means, which means that the joint between the two can break and reset by command repeatedly, if desired. This aspect both simplifies the operation of the food preparation system of the invention and allows a greater number of functional configurations of the food capsule. This is further advantageous in that the body of the food capsule can be supplied in one piece having an overall cup-shaped body, at least one partition arranged inside the body and a flange or other means at one end open to the which injection wall is fixed. This allows the body of the food capsule to be manufactured in one piece, only needing to fill it with the food substances and join the injection wall. The manufacture of the beverage capsules is therefore made easier, faster and more economical.

Preferably, said pressure means comprises a substantially annular matrix.

This is advantageous because a substantially annular matrix is generally symmetrical, simplifying the placement of the matrix relative to the food capsule. This improves the ease with which the food preparation system of the present invention can be used. A substantially annular die can also be manufactured at a relatively low cost, allowing the advantages of this aspect to be realized at minimal cost.

In accordance with yet another feature, said food preparation system comprises a breaking means, said breaking means being arranged to break at least one of said closing means when they deviate towards contact with said breaking means.

This is advantageous because the chamber of the food capsule thus configured will open itself when the pressure inside the chamber builds up to a sufficient level. Specifically, during the injection of pressurized fluid into the chamber it will cause the closure medium to deflect into the rupture medium thereby breaking the closure medium and allowing the food component to drain from the outlet. In this way, the construction and operation of the food preparation machine is simplified, making it less expensive and more reliable in use.

Preferably the breaking means comprises a set of pyramidal extensions.

This is advantageous because the breaking means thus configured provides a large number of points at which the closing means can break. Said pyramids may be configured such that they have a base in a shape that describes a tessellation, such as a triangle or a hexagon, the breaking means will therefore be provided with a large number of points in a relatively small area. Additionally, the points of such a set of pyramids are less likely to lose their sharpness over the life of the food preparation machine, compared to a breaking means in another configuration (eg, needles or blades). In this way the durability and performance of the invention are improved.

In a possible embodiment, said breaking means is arranged inside said food capsule.

This is advantageous because, by providing the breaking means within the food capsule, a new breaking means is used each time a new capsule is inserted and a food product is produced by the food preparation machine. This will serve to avoid obstructions of accumulation of food particles in the breaking medium, thereby improving the cleanliness and reliability of the food preparation machine.

In another possible embodiment, said breaking means is arranged inside said receptacle of said machine for preparing food.

This is advantageous because providing the breaking means inside the food preparation machine itself simplifies the construction of the food capsules thereby making them less costly to manufacture. For a food preparation system that employs capsules of fixed dimensions, providing a means of rupture inside the machine for food preparation additionally allows a larger volume of food substance to be provided inside the capsule, because none of the capsule volumes need be used to accommodate the rupture medium. Finally, providing the breaking means inside the food preparation machine itself also allows the use of materials or configurations which may not be technically or economically feasible when used inside the food capsule itself. In this way, the economy and capacity of the food preparation system of the present invention are increased.

According to a second aspect, the invention is directed to a process for the preparation of a food product employing a system for the preparation of food according to any of claims 1 to 7, comprising the steps of blocking communication between different chambers of the food capsule activating a sealing means, said sealing means being optionally arranged inside the food preparation machine; injecting a first quantity of a fluid into a first chamber of a food capsule thereby preparing a quantity of a first food substance disposed therein as a first food component; optionally dispensing said first food component from said food capsule; releasing the seal between the first chamber and a second chamber of said food capsule, thereby allowing fluid communication between said first and second chambers; by injecting a second quantity of fluid into said first chamber, said second quantity of fluid flowing within said second chamber and thereby preparing an amount of a second food substance disposed in the second chamber of said food capsule as a second food component; and dispensing said second and optionally said first food component from said food capsule through the corresponding outlet or outlets.

This has the advantage that this procedure prepares each of the food substances disposed inside a food capsule as a food component and dispenses them successively, while injecting fluid into the capsule at a single point. Therefore, the injection mechanism of the food preparation machine that performs this process will be much simpler than those known in the prior art because the associated multiple fluid supply injection means and control means are make it unnecessary.

According to a characteristic, the food capsule comprises a single outlet, each of said food components being dispensed through said outlet.

This is advantageous because providing a food capsule with a single outlet simplifies the shape and construction of the food preparation machine employed in that it only needs to accommodate a single outlet from the food capsule. Additionally, properly positioning the food capsule inside the food preparation machine is simplified in that only one outlet needs to be correctly positioned in the beverage machine to properly dispense the food components into a container. In particular, a centrally positioned outlet can be configured to automatically position itself when the capsule is seated in the capsule receptacle of the food preparation machine. In this way, the execution of the process of the invention becomes simpler and less expensive. Alternatively, each of said chambers is provided with its own outlet, each food component being dispensed through an outlet that communicates with the chamber in which said food component is provided.

This has the advantage that each outlet can be configured to open when the conditions inside its respective chambers are optimal for the preparation of the food substance inside. In this way, each resulting food component is dispensed at the ideal time, ensuring the quality and uniformity of the food products produced in this way.

Alternatively, each of said chambers of the food capsule comprises an outlet that opens at the beginning of the injection stage and additionally is characterized in that said opening stage is performed breaking said joint under a pressure differential between the first and second chambers of said food capsule.

This is advantageous because the process can be advanced from stage to stage moving from injection of one chamber to injection of another chamber only by increasing the pressure inside the food capsule. The control means necessary to carry out the procedure are thereby reduced making the procedure simpler and less expensive.

In accordance with yet another characteristic, the outlets of the food capsule are opened substantially simultaneously before or during the stage for the injection of a first quantity of fluid.

This is advantageous because they simplify the use of the food capsule in the food preparation process. By simultaneously opening all the outlets of the food capsule, the food components will be dispensed simultaneously, while still being individually prepared inside their respective chambers. In this way, food products can be prepared whose ingredients may not be stored together but which must be mixed during the food preparation process. In this way, the capabilities of the food preparation process of the invention are further expanded. According to a third aspect, the invention is directed to a food capsule comprising a cup-shaped capsule body enclosing a cavity, said capsule body comprising a first end and a second end, said first end comprising a hole which it communicates with said cavity and said second end comprising at least one outlet that communicates with said cavity; an injection wall that closes said orifice of said first end of said capsule body and at least one partition arranged inside said cavity and dividing said cavity into a plurality of chambers. Each chamber contains a quantity of a food substance and is in communication with at least one outlet provided at said second end and additionally comprises a gasket that can be released between said chambers, said gasket that can be released comprising said at least one partition and said injection wall of said beverage capsule.

According to the invention, said releasable seal is released by means external to said food capsule.

This is advantageous in that the means for releasing the releasable seal are positioned in the food preparation machine and integrated with the means used to inject the amount of fluid into the food capsule during the food preparation process. Thereby, the precision and reliability of the food preparation system in which the food capsule is used are improved.

Additionally, providing the means for release out of the capsule allows the costs of the capsule itself to be minimized because a complex mechanism such as a release means is provided in the beverage machine and not in the consumable capsule. This improves the economy of the food capsule and the process for preparing foods that incorporate it.

More importantly, the invention provides a solution for dispensing various ingredients prepared at different places in the same capsule, optionally at different times, while allowing said preparation of different ingredients separately inside the capsule while using a filling point. Single injection into the beverage machine. Therefore, the capsule according to the invention provides a solution for complex ingredient preparation with a beverage machine that has a simple construction of its fluid system.

Other particularities and advantages of the invention will also become apparent from the following description.

Brief description of the drawings

In the accompanying drawings, provided by way of non-limiting examples:

Figure 1 represents a side sectional view of a food capsule adapted for use in the food production system of the invention according to a first embodiment;

Figure 2A represents a side sectional view of the food capsule of Figure 1 during a first injection stage;

Figure 2B represents a side sectional view of the food capsule of Figure 1 during a second injection stage;

Figure 3A depicts a side sectional view of a food capsule adapted for use in a system for food production which represents the useful technical background to understand the invention. Detailed description of the invention

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a food capsule adapted for use in the food production system of the invention. The first food capsule 300 comprises a capsule body 301 which encloses a cavity 302 and which has a first end 303 and a second end 304. At the first end 303 there is a hole 305, which is in communication with the cavity 302 and the second end 304

The first food capsule 300 is also provided with a partition 306, which extends from the second end 304 into cavity 302. In the depicted embodiment, partition 306 comprises a pair of inclined circular walls, which are joined together to form an annular sealing edge 307. Thus, partition 306 divides cavity 302 into a central chamber 308 and a peripheral chamber 309.

In an alternate embodiment, the two partition walls may be configured to provide chambers 308, 309 with a particular shape or volume, or to facilitate delivery of a food substance therein.

The first food capsule 300 is additionally provided with central and peripheral outlets 310, 311, which are arranged at the second end 304 so that they are in communication with the central and peripheral chambers 308, 309, respectively. Outlets 310 and 311 each are provided with a first and a second closure means 312, 313, which seal outlets 310, 311. Finally, the first food capsule 300 is provided with an injection wall 314 on the hole 305 at first end 303, thereby sealing cavity 302 of first food capsule 300.

The closing means 312, 313 may be configured to explode or break when the corresponding chamber 308, 309 reaches a predetermined internal pressure. Alternatively, the closure means 312, 313 may be configured to deflect under pressure but not break on their own, instead, they deflect within a rupture means causing the closure means 312, 313 to explode or rupture. In another alternative, the closure means 312, 313 are manually removed by the consumer, immediately prior to insertion of the first food capsule 300 into a food preparation machine. And in another possible alternative, the closing means 312, 313 are a plug or membrane that dissolves when a fluid is injected into the corresponding chamber 308, 309. For example, such closing means 312, 313 They can be made from a starch compound that dissolves when exposed to a liquid or from an edible film, which melts when exposed to heat from the food preparation process.

Additionally, it should be understood that the closing means 312, 313 need not be of identical construction or composition. The closing means 312, 313 can be chosen in such a way that the properties of each one are optimal for the particular food substance contained within the corresponding chamber 308, 309.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the first closing means 312 is arranged on the central outlet 310 of the central chamber 308. The first closing means 312 is in this case configured as a thin membrane made from aluminum , configured to rupture by itself when the pressure inside the central chamber 308 reaches between 1 and 3 bar.

The second closure means 313 is also preferably an aluminum membrane, although provided with a thickness sufficient to resist rupture when the peripheral chamber 309 is under pressure. Instead, the second closure means 313 is configured to deflect as the peripheral chamber 309 is under pressure. The second closure means 313 is preferably configured to deviate into a rupture means arranged both inside the first food capsule 300 itself, and inside a capsule holder of a food preparation machine adapted for receiving the first food capsule 300. When the pressure inside the peripheral chamber 309 reaches a predetermined point, preferably between 8 and 12, the second closing means 313 will deviate towards contact with the rupture medium and will be opened.

Inside each of the chambers 308 and 309 an amount of a food substance is provided: a first food substance 315 inside the central chamber 308 and a second food substance inside the peripheral chamber 309.

Preferably, the first food substance 315 is a soluble ingredient such as milk powder, which is prepared at a relatively low pressure, and the second food substance 316 is one which is extracted or otherwise prepared at a relatively high pressure, such as roasted and ground coffee. However, other combinations of food substances may be employed within chambers 308 and 309 of the food capsule.

In this embodiment, partition 306 is not attached to injection wall 314. Instead there is a gap 317 between the inner surface of injection wall 314 and the sealing edge 307 of partition 306. Space 317 allows fluid communication between the central and peripheral chambers 308, 309 thereby allowing both food substances 315, 316 to be prepared with fluid injected into the first food capsule 300 from a single injection point.

Figures 2A and 2B depict a procedure for the preparation of a food product such as a beverage from a food capsule, in particular the first food capsule 300 depicted in Figure 1. Figure 2A depicts a first step in this process. .

In this procedure, the food preparation machine 500 is provided to house the beverage capsule. The food preparation machine 500 comprises a capsule receptacle 501 which overall takes the form of the first food capsule 300. The capsule receptacle 501 additionally comprises a centrally arranged drain 502 and a rupture means 503. The rupture medium 503 is provided in this case with a set of pyramidal extensions, arranged in a circular arrangement within the receptacle for capsule 501. However, alternative configurations of the rupture medium are also possible, for example an annular blade.

At the beginning of the first injection stage, the food capsule is pierced by injection needle 503 at injection point 504. Injection needle 503 has a closed tip 505 which is instead provided with a plurality of injection holes 506 at a distant end.

The food preparation machine 500 additionally comprises a sealing means 507A which in this case is provided in the form of a pressing means 507 and the sealing edge 307. The pressing means 507 is a substantially annular die which presses the injection wall 314 causing it to deflect and press inside the partition 306 at the sealing edge 307. In this way a joint is created between the sealing edge 307 and the interior surface of the injection wall 314, thereby avoiding fluid communication between central chamber 308 and peripheral chamber 309.

Subsequent to establishing the joint, the injection needle 503 injects a first amount of fluid 508 into the central chamber 308, combining it with the first food substance 315 and creating a first food component 509. The first food component 509 then drains from the central outlet 310, the closing means 311, which has been broken by injection pressure and through drain 502 of beverage machine 500.

Figure 2B represents a second injection stage. The sealing ring 507 is retracted from the injection wall 314, such that the injection wall 314 returns to its original position. Thus, fluid communication between the central and peripheral chambers 308 and 309 is reestablished, through the gap 317 between the inner surface of the injection wall 314 and the sealing edge 307 of partition 306.

Injection needle 503 injects a second quantity of fluid 510 into central chamber 308 at increased pressure relative to first quantity of fluid 508. Second quantity of fluid 510 thereafter flows into peripheral chamber 309 through the newly opened space 317. As the second quantity of fluid 510 is injected, the pressure inside the peripheral chamber 309 builds up. The second quantity of fluid will mix with the second food substance 316 provided inside the peripheral chamber 309, producing a second food component 511.

In a variant embodiment, injection needle 503 may be configured to engage the inner surface of central outlet 510. In this alternate embodiment, injection needle 503 is movable relative to the axis of the injection capsule. beverage 300, such that at the start of the second injection stage it is advanced into the central outlet 510 to block the second quantity 510 so that it does not exit through the central outlet 510.

When the pressure has built up to a predetermined point, the second closing means 313 will be deflected into the breaking means 503 and will break. The second food component 511 is then led from the peripheral outlet 310 and out of the drain 502 of the food preparation machine 500.

In a possible variant, the first and second closure means 312, 313 may be configured to open at substantially the same pressure. In a food capsule configured in this way, the first injection stage will prepare the first food substance 315 as the first food component 509, which will remain inside the first food capsule 300 during the second injection stage. During the second injection stage, the sealing medium 507 will retract, restoring fluid communication through space 317. The second quantity of fluid 508 will continue to increase the pressure inside the first food capsule 300 while preparing the second food substance. 316 inside the peripheral chamber 309 as a second food component 511. When the pressure inside the first food capsule 300 reaches the previously determined point, the closing means 311, 312 will all open releasing the two food components 509 and 511, through the drain 502 of the beverage machine 500.

Figure 3A depicts the technical background which is useful in understanding the invention. FIG. 3A depicts a second food capsule 700 during a first injection stage, seated on the beverage machine 500A. The second food capsule 700 is substantially similar to the first food capsule 300 seen in the previous figures, in that it comprises a capsule body 700A defining a cavity 700B, having a first and second end 700C, 700D and a hole 700E in communication with said cavity 700B. The second food capsule 700 is additionally used in substantially the same manner as the first food capsule 300. However, the second food capsule 700 is provided with a cartridge 701 which is itself provided with an outlet of the capsule 702. The cartridge 701 is also provided with rupture means 703 which are arranged so as to break a closure means 704 arranged in a peripheral port 705 of a peripheral chamber 706, as in the previous embodiment. The effective result is that while in the above embodiment the breaking means 503 was provided in the capsule receptacle 501 of the food preparation machine 500, in this embodiment the breaking means 703 is arranged in the interior of the second food capsule 700 itself.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described earlier in this document and in the accompanying drawings. Modifications are possible, in particular with regard to the construction of the various elements or by substituting technical equivalents without thereby departing from the scope of protection of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Firstly, it should be understood that while the above description concerns a food capsule having two chambers, the invention can easily be adapted to offer a system for food production wherein the food capsule comprises three or more chambers, each containing a respective amount of food substance.

Additionally, it should be understood that the possible configurations of the food capsules are not limited to the examples described herein. In particular, it should be recognized that multiple variations incorporating different food substances, capsule configurations, capsule geometries, closure means, and other such variations are all possible.

It should also be understood that the configuration of the food preparation machine adapted to receive capsules of this type, in particular the configuration of the injection means and the means for holding and opening the food capsule, can also be varied according to the particular application in which the food capsules and the food preparation machine will be used.

Accordingly, the scope of this disclosure is intended to be exemplary rather than limiting, and the scope of this invention is defined by the appended claims.

Claims (7)

1. A food preparation system configured to produce a food product, comprising: (i) a food preparation machine (500, 500A) provided with a receptacle for a food capsule (300, 700) and an injection means (503, 711) to inject a pressurized fluid (508, 510, 712 , 716) inside; and (ii) a food capsule (300, 700) that encloses a cavity (302, 700B) and that has a first end (303, 700C) that comprises a hole (305, 700E) that communicates with said cavity (302, 700B) , a second end (304, 700D), comprising at least one outlet (310, 311, 702) communicating with said cavity (302, 700B), an injection wall (314, 709) that closes said first end ( 303, 700C) and at least one partition (306, 708) arranged inside said cavity (302, 700B) that divides said cavity (302, 700B) into a plurality of chambers (308, 309, 706, 710) each containing a quantity of a food substance (315, 316, 713, 717) characterized in that said food preparation machine (500, 500A) comprises a single injection medium (503, 711) configured to inject a quantity of fluid (508, 512, 712, 716) into a first chamber (308, 710) of said capsule (300, 700) through a single injection point (504, 711A) and additionally comprises a sealing means configured to selectively block fluid communication between at least two of said chambers (308, 309, 706, 710) during the injection of a quantity of fluid (508, 512, 712, 716 ) in said first chamber (308, 710), said sealing means capable of withstanding a pressure difference between said chambers (308, 309, 706, 710) of between 2 and 20 bar, preferably between 4 and 15 bar and said medium seal comprising a sealing edge (307) of the partition (306) and a pressure means (507, 507A) arranged inside the beverage preparation machine (500), configured to press together said sealing edge (307) and the injection wall (314) of said capsule. 2. The food preparation system of claim 1 wherein said food product is a liquid or semi-liquid beverage. 3. The food preparation system of claim 1 wherein said pressure means (507) comprises a substantially annular matrix. 4. The food preparation system of any of claims 1 to 3 wherein said food preparation system comprises a breaking means (503, 703), said breaking means (503, 713) being arranged for breaking at least one closure means (313, 704) which seals the outlet of the capsule (310, 311, 702), when it is diverted towards contact with said rupture means (503, 703). 5. The food preparation system of claim 4 wherein said breaking means (503, 713) comprises a set of pyramidal extensions. 6. The food preparation system of claim 4 or 5 wherein said rupture means (703) is disposed within said food capsule (700). 7. The food preparation system of claim 4 or 5 wherein said breaking means (503) is disposed within said receptacle (501) of said food preparation machine.